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US 2007/0164995 A1Published application
Ergonomic input device
Assignee3DConnexion GmbH
InventorAntonio Pascucci
Life of this patent
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Assignee3DConnexion GmbH
InventorAntonio Pascucci
Estimating the term…
The present invention relates to an ergonomic device (100) for manual input of control signals in a computer environment. The device (100) is adapted for connection in communication with a computer processing unit, and comprises: a base (10) for supporting the device on an operating surface; a control panel (20) provided on the base (10), including a manipulation member (21) mounted on and upstanding from the base (10) for manual manipulation by a user, the manipulation member (21) being movable relative to the base (10) to generate corresponding input control signals within the computer environment; and a palm rest (40) provided on the base (10) for supporting the palm of the user's hand during use of the device (100). The control panel (20) further includes a group of user input buttons (22, 23, 24), each of which can be actuated to generate an associated input control signal, wherein at least one of said buttons (22, 23, 24) is programmable. The device (100) further includes display means (30, 30′) provided on the base (10) for displaying the associated control signal or function programmed for each programmable button.
1-10. (canceled)
An ergonomic device (100) for manual input of control signals in a computer-controlled environment,
An ergonomic device (100) for manual input of control signals in a computer-controlled environment,
The device according to claim 1, wherein the palm rest (40) is exchangeable.
The device according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the base (10) is higher in the region of the display (30) than in the region of base of the manipulation member (21).
The device according to claim 1, wherein the center axis of the manipulation member (21) is inclined relative to the vertical on the support surface.
The device according to claim 1, wherein the device (100) is configured such that, when the palm of the user's hand is located on the palm rest (40), the manipulation member (21) is located in general alignment with and within reach of the middle three fingers of the hand, and a first group of buttons (22, 23, 24) is arranged in one of the following positions:
The device according to claim 1, wherein the device (100) includes at least two groups of user input buttons (22, 24), one of said groups (24) comprising buttons whose function is able to be programmed, and the other group (22) comprising buttons having a pre-set or predetermined operation, one of said groups (22) being arranged in the vicinity of the user's thumb and the other said group (24) being arranged in the vicinity of the user's smallest finger.
The device according to claim 1, wherein at least the underside (204) of one end of the base (10), preferably the underside of the region of the display (30), is elevated from the support.
The device according to claim 2, wherein the palm rest (40) is exchangeable.
The device according to claim 2, wherein the upper surface of the base (10) is higher in the region of the display (30) than in the region of base of the manipulation member (21).
The device according to claim 2, wherein the center axis of the manipulation member (21) is inclined relative to the vertical on the support surface.
The device according to claim 2, wherein the device (100) is configured such that, when the palm of the user's hand is located on the palm rest (40), the manipulation member (21) is located in general alignment with and within reach of the middle three fingers of the hand, and a first group of buttons (22, 23, 24) is arranged in one of the following positions:
The device according to claim 2, wherein the device (100) includes at least two groups of user input buttons (22, 24), one of said groups (24) comprising buttons whose function is able to be programmed, and the other group (22) comprising buttons having a pre-set or predetermined operation, one of said groups (22) being arranged in the vicinity of the user's thumb and the other said group (24) being arranged in the vicinity of the user's smallest finger.
The device according to claim 2, wherein at least the underside (204) of one end of the base (10), preferably the underside of the region of the display (30), is elevated from the support.
An ergonomic device (100) for manual input of control signals in a computer-controlled environment, the device (100) comprising:
An ergonomic device for manual input of control signals in a computer-controlled environment,
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.